esab 900

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Anyone got a Esab 900 plasma? How do you like it???
Reply:I dont have experience with the ESAB 900 but I do have experience with an older, larger high frequency start unit. ESAB makes very nice plasma cutters. Right up there with Hypertherm and Thermal Dynamics.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:quality cutting machine. They did a nice job with their torch on that unit. Powerful constricted type arc.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Boy its buy time and I still undecided, The Powermax 45 is on sale for $1495.00, the ESAB 900is $2000 with a free high dollar helmet.Does the Powermax 45 only work on 400V three phase ( ? ), seems the ESAB does a better job on various power inputs and my local Esab and Thermal Dynamics consumables are easier to get. Just one Hypertherm distrubutor in 100 mile radius and not my even close to favorite weld store, they list all kinds of stuff as a distributor and never have squat in stock.Decisions, decisions.
Reply:Maybe a more experienced hand can chime in on this but the Esab 900and the Hypertherm 45 both have the same pierce ( 1/2 " ) which is on of my main guides to judge a plasma by. The Esab does seem to cut faster though.Any smart thoughts here?Yeah is plasma time.
Reply:I have never used a Hypertherm 45, so I can't comment on that. I have used a Hypertherm  85,and a Esab 900. The Esab is a powerful 60 amp Plasma, and the Hypertherm 85 is a powerful 85 amp machine. Similar in many many respects, as far as a very nice arc.. Constricted and real long.  The 45 is going to be a whole lot easier to move around. It also runs on Single/ Three phase and many voltages too.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:From a power perspective (which is a killowatt rating....not necessarily amperage, the Esab 900 fits just above the Hypertherm Powermax45 and quite a bit below the Powermax65.The Hypertherm advantage in regards to the 45 is clearly with price (much lower) and size, (much smaller and lighter). The Powermax45 can operate on single phase voltage of between 200 and 240 volts, drawwing only 44 amps. The 45 uses Hypertherm's pateneted shielded conical flow torch design.....providing the longest consumable life in the business.....as well as the ability to drag and template cut without sticking or double arcing. The Powermax45 can pierce up to 1/2" with no effect on consumable life.The Hypertherm 65 takes that a bit further with more power, a newer conical flow shielded torch design, the ability to operate off single and three phase power from 200 to 600 volts, and the ability to pierce 5/8".The Hypertherm systems are designed, engineered and built in its Hanover NH facility by employee owners.You can go to the www.hypertherm.com  site and click on the where to buy tab.....this will help you locate all authorized dealers in your area. Click on the product tab for details about Hypertherm different models.Best regards, Jim Colt
Reply:Jim,I went over yesterday to check out the ESAB from the local distributor. They don't stock them at all, and have very few consumables in stock. They are distributors for three brands of plasmas ( not hypertherm ) and the big Lincoln dealer locally.They like Thermal Dynamics, and really had nothing good to say about the ESAB plasmas, they have a lot of ESAB welders but not a single plasma. They do carry Hypertherm cosumables though ( plus )Consumables and non availability pretty much closed my curiousity on this, simply no parts not interested.I did also stopped at the 1 and only Hypertherm dealer in a 100 mile radius and looked at the 45, the 65, and the 85. The 45 is too small ( cut wise not size ).I also talked to a meszanite farmer who owns both a Hypertherm and Thermal Dynamics, he liked both machines, our discussion got into consumables and life. He said that he got the same life out of both machines consumables, and that with his air supply which he admitted doesn't have a high dollar dryer that it was a wash on life.Anyway the list narrows, my selection is down to 4 machines right now, a Hypertherm 65 or 85, or a Thermal Dynamics 82 or 102. Before I jump which is very soon ( next week at latest ) I am going to do some reaseach on a dryer system to clean up my air supply. I did some clean up and installed a trap last summer and improved it, but I am sure its not dry enough to not trash tips.Today is wire in the sub-panel I am wiring up a 100 amp service for my new yet to be purchasedcutter.Last edited by fredschrom; 01-06-2012 at 06:06 AM.Reason: spelling
Reply:The four you have identified are all better choices as compared to the Esab. You know which way I would steer you.....so if you have any questions regarding the Hypertherm units let me know!Best regards, Jim Colt   [email protected]
Reply:That Esab is a fine USA made plasma.Consumables are a bit expensive though. The Thermal 85 is really where you want to put your money. It have the latest torch design, The Thermal's have a good torch,but it's not in the same league as the New Hypertherm. Figure a 100 amp Thermal will cut 1 inch mild steel at about the same speed as a 85 amp new Hypertherm. This is comparing my CNC table to my friends. There are other things too. I have to admit my 151 single phase only plasma has been flawless for 7 years. Can't complain about the reliability of that unit.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Its my night for dumb questions but dumber if I don't ask:I read you should put a safety switch on a plasma. Is this neccesary? Its on a breaker of the proper size, I am a one man ( with son shop ) is this really neccesary, seems to me that is for commercial applications ( which makes sense I don't disagree ).I have a tad busy the last day or so but I have been reading up on plasma cutters some. In the manuals on the Therma Dynamics 85 and 102 the recommended breakers for the panel are 80 amp for the 102 and 100 amp on the 85. Is this a goof up? Seems the bigger unit would need the bigger breaker, or is the cutmaster 85 a older machine. The users manual on the 102 is better layed out and it might be a older machine and manual.I am closing down my search on a plasma but since its my first plasma I am doing a hurry up and educate myself before I buy, narrowing the field to four machines helped a lot, its not high level now but little details. I am still sticking to my initial 5/8 inch pierce spec, thats hard no change.Thanks for the help on this guys.Last edited by fredschrom; 01-07-2012 at 09:54 PM.Reason: spelling ( I hate my keyboard )
Reply:Well fence sitting is over, its ordered, I got a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 102. Now just wait for it to be delivered.Local consumables really made the decision, I really liked the Hypertherm 85 but hate the local (35 miles ) distributor which is out of state a 2 1/2 % more on sales tax on everything.Hypertherm really needs to rethink the distribution centers in N Idaho, Spokane is a different state and we really don't like spending Idaho dollars on Seattle and Olympia taxes.
Reply:That 100 amp cutmaster 102 is a serious cutting machine. You made an excelent decision. I have been very pleased with my cutmaster 52.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720